Don’t let the weather turn you into a hermit! Even though it’s the coldest time of year, Reston still offers plenty of fun things to do. Here are some event highlights for February in the Reston area.
The Freezin’ for a Reason polar plunge at Lake Anne
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015
Freezin’ for a Reason – Virginia Polar Dip
2pm, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Every winter, hundreds of brave volunteers leap into the freezing waters of Lake Anne, as part of a fundraiser for Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Come cheer for these jumpers and their outrageous costumes and antics. Or register to participate if you think you’re tough enough. So far this year, this organization has reached only 50% of their fundraising goals, so please show them some support. Register online or in person, starting at noon on Saturday the 7th. The jump will begin at 2pm.
Goldfish Swim School Open House
1:30-4:30pm, 12340 Pinecrest Road, Reston
To celebrate their grand opening, Goldfish Swim School is hosting a party that is free and open to the public. There will be giveaways, snacks, and swimming in their indoor, heated pool.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015
“Little Gems” Art Reception
2:00-4:00pm, Reston Art Gallery and Studios, Lake Anne Plaza
Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS) presents “Little Gems” on exhibit from February 2 until March 5, and all are welcome to the artists’ reception on Sunday, February 8. The “Little Gems” exhibit features works no larger than 12″ x 12″, created by the RAGS artists.
“Colors of Nature” Art Reception
2:00-4:00pm, Reston Community Center at Lake Anne
RCC’s JoAnn Rose Gallery is featuring “Colors of Nature,” an exhibit of fine art photography by Kathy Kautter. Meet Kautter at the “Colors of Nature” reception on Sunday, February 8. Her work is on on display through March 2nd. Kautter’s photography captures her favorite topics of flora, leaves, trees, and water.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015
Reston Presents – Diary of a Watts Princess
7:00-9:00pm, Reston Community Center at Lake Anne
Tamara Smiley Hamilton will read from her memoir: Diary of a Watts Princess: Lessons from A Blessed Life. The presentation will take the audience on a journey with one African-American woman from the segregated south on the historic Black migration to urban Los Angeles. The guiding question is “What happened to the girl who grew up with major historical events: the Civil Rights Movement, the Watts Rebellion of 1965, the assassinations (Kennedys, Dr. King, Malcolm X) and the ‘60s in general?” Free, but registration is required.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015
Aguado Guitar Valentine Gala Concert
6:30-9:30pm, Cafe Monmartre at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Start Valentine’s Day early with a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, and a concert of romantic music featuring some of the area’s finest classical guitarists, João Figueirôa, and the Klasinc & Lončar Guitar Duo.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015
If you’re going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to make reservations in advance!
For the Love It 10K
8:00am, South Lakes High School, Reston
Race your sweetheart through the trails of South Reston, and burn off all that Valentine chocolate in advance. All pre-registered runners will receive a For the Love of It 10k commemorative technical shirt, and the first 400 runners to arrive at packet pickup will receive a For the Love of It 10k pin.
Chocolate Festival
11:00am-3:00pm, Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon
Spend Valentine’s Day trying chocolate treats, while your kids enjoy inflatables, face painting, and balloon art. Money raised will benefit the church’s Help Hungry Kids program.
Valentine’s Day Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
5:30-9:30pm, Reston Town Center
Take a romantic carriage ride and help a charity. Rides will depart in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person. Children under 5 ride free with an adult. All proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax.
Romantic Valentine’s Day Dine and Dance at Cafe Monmartre
Cafe Monmartre at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
A three-course dinner, with dining music by The Caterpillars, and international dance music by Dominic Tran after 9:30pm.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015
Fat Tuesday Masquerade Costume Contest and Live Music
3:00-10:00p, Il Fornaio at Reston Town Center
Show your Mardi Gras spirit with a masquerade costume contest with prizes. There will be complimentary face painting from 5:00-8:00pm, and live music from 6:00-8:00pm.
Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade
8pm, Wilson Blvd. from N. Barton Street to N. Irving Street, Arlington
The largest Mardi Gras parade in the DC area features music, floats, costumes, and plenty of beads.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
An Evening of Jazz with Reston’s Divas
6:00pm, Reston Museum at Lake Anne Plaza
Beverly Cosham, Menda Ahart and Felicia Kessel-Crawley will entertain you with their magnificent voices and the stories behind the songs they sing. Admission is free. Seating is limited and preference is given to Museum members. RSVP: 703-709-7700; [email protected]
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
Celebrating Black History Month
7:00-9:00pm, United Christian Parish Church, 11408 North Shore Drive, Reston
This multi-generational panel discussion, called “Valuing the Past; Planning for the Future,” will address what Reston was like 50 years ago and why people were drawn to it. The panel will discuss the strengths of the community today and dreams for the future. Panelists include long-time Reston resident, Bob Secundy; Martin Taylor, Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins’ staff and Reston resident; and two students from South Lakes High School. Admission is free.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015
Environmental film: Wings of Life
Walker Nature Center, Reston
From Disneynature, and narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible – and increasingly threatened – creatures, the pollinators. $5 suggested donation. Reservations required by Feb. 24.
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